West Walk, Forest of Bere, Hampshire

CLOtC accredited forests for self-led learning visits
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is the national voice for learning
outside the classroom. The Forestry Commission is proud to be working with the CLOtC to
create and improve opportunities for self-led learning on the public forest estate.
We are working towards CLOtC Site Provider Awards for Forestry Commission sites across
England. This award recognises organisations which actively welcome schools onto their
site/s for self-led visits and ensure that the sites and any other services provided meet the
needs of schools.
CLOtC accredited site:
West Walk, Forest of Bere, near Fareham, Hampshire
West Walk is the largest remaining fragment of woodland from the ancient Forest of Bere in
southeast Hampshire. Bere is now a mixture of woodland, open space, heathland, farmland
and downland. As well as 19th century oak woods, there are modern conifer plantations,
and areas of scrub, coppice, streams and ponds.
The Forestry Commission provide three car parks from which to begin a school visit, the
main one being West Walk car park. Here, there are picnic tables, toilets and a play area,
as well as access to trails leading further into the forest. West Walk is the only car park
suitable for coaches.
West Walk is part of the public forest estate, which is made up of more than 1500 woods
and forests in England that are cared for by the Forestry Commission. We practise multipurpose sustainable forestry: multi-purpose means that our forests are managed, not just
to supply timber, but also as valuable wildlife habitats and places for visitors to enjoy;
sustainable means that we follow long term forest design plans, so that the public forest
estate continues to provide timber, and benefits for people and wildlife into the future.
West Walk is very popular with visitors during school holidays and at weekends. During the
week in term time the site is much less busy and trails leading into the surrounding
woodland allow you to leave the majority of visitors behind within a few minutes’ walk.
Example school visits
 EYFS – Understanding the world – exploring different habitats to look for minibeasts,
listening to the sounds of the forest, exploring the different textures of bark, leaves
and stones; collecting materials from the forest floor to make pictures or create mini
dens
 Primary school – Design technology – using sticks and other forest materials to
build structures such as towers, shelters and bridges
 Secondary school – Land use studies – annotating a map to show features; stream
studies making use of small streams to learn about river processes and features;
comparative ecosystem studies involving data collection from contrasting areas
within the forest
 GCSE / A-level – Geography fieldwork – human impact on the environment;
conflicts in land use (balancing needs of forest for timber, people and wildlife);
understanding the financial aspect of sustainability to facilitate environmental
sustainability e.g. paying to park and sale of timber to provide income for
maintenance.
Site webpage
 has information about trails, site facilities, opening times, parking charges, directions
and events
On-site facilities
 Catering van– this should not be relied upon for refreshments as its presence on site
is weather dependent. It is normally on site all summer.
 Play areas
 Parking for cars and coaches (charges apply)
 Toilets are open all the time, including an accessible toilet.
 BBQs for hire (prior booking essential)
 There is usually a mobile phone signal in the West Walk car park. It is variable in
other parts of the forest.
Surrounding woodland
 There are two waymarked trails from the West Walk car park – the Forest of Bere
trail passes the ponds (old bomb craters from the second world war, now home to
rare amphibians) and the Old Oak trail visits oaks planted in Napoleonic times, which
now provide a habitat for moths, bats and rare lichens. There are also numerous
other tracks and trails, on which you can plan your own route.
 The woodland has a variety of species, both deciduous and conifer. There are also
open spaces, and small glades under the trees which lend themselves to a wide
range of activities.
Self-led learning opportunities
 Woodland activities – trees, minibeasts, habitats, shelterbuilding (see FC downloads
and lesson plans)
 Cycling is permitted but there is no specific cycle trail
 There are walking trails allowing access for learning activities.
 Horse riding is permitted but riders must have a permit
Learning opportunities from partner organisations
 Woodland Adventurers offer a range of guided visits for schools and groups. For
more information contact Woodland Adventurers on 01225 819714 or visit the
website.
Local Forestry Commission contacts
 The local FC office is at Alice Holt Forest; reception is staffed 8.30am-5pm Monday to
Thursday and to 4.30 on Fridays – email or telephone 0300 067 4800
 The local FC learning team is based at Alice Holt Forest – email or telephone 0300
067 4451
 In emergencies the Ranger can be contacted on 07778 110349
Planning your visit
 Contact the Learning Manager on 0300 067 4451 or Amy Howells for a permission
form– we’d like to know you are coming and, depending on your plans, there may be
a booking form to complete
 Pre-visit – we strongly recommend that you make a pre-visit to the site before
bringing your group – you’ll need to know where to park, where the toilets are,
where and how you will carry out your activities; you’ll need to be able to write your
risk assessment and will be able to pick up trail leaflets and maps on site.
 Health and safety – we carry out regular safety checks of the area around the car
parks and of the waymarked trails; we do not however, check every path and every
part of the forest; if you are bringing a group to the forest, it is your responsibility to
carry out a pre-visit and write your own risk assessment; we cannot provide you
with a site risk assessment because the forest is a variable environment, which
changes as a result of weather conditions, time of year, forest operations etc; we do
offer a sample risk assessment, which may be of use, when you are writing your own
and a guide to group leader responsibilities; if a member of your group has an
accident while visiting West Walk, please let the Ranger know on 07778 110349
know as soon as possible.
Accessibility
 The car park is relatively flat, but once you leave the car park there is a slope
which can be difficult for some people to walk up.
 At the car park, there are toilets for disabled visitors.
 Some of the trails into the woods are quite muddy, but there are more easily
accessible options – please ask for advice
 Disabled parking spaces are provided
 Information about accessibility of trails is available in the site leaflet
 With prior notice and for genuine access for less physically able learners, it may be
possible to provide vehicular access to some areas of the forest
After your visit
 Feedback – we’d like to know how you get on with your self-led visit to West Walk
and have provided a short online survey
 Further opportunities – if you would like to find out more about learning
opportunities on the public forest estate, please email and ask to be put onto our
mailing list